How Much Does Penang Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Penang is one of Southeast Asia's most budget-friendly destinations, offering a high standard of living and culture for a fraction of the cost of regional neighbors like Singapore. For travelers navigating the historic streets of George Town, daily budgets typically range from $27 / RM104 for solo backpackers to $354 / RM1,383 for those indulging in luxury heritage stays. The island's value is centered on its world-renowned street food scene, which remains remarkably inexpensive despite the area's UNESCO status. While basic amenities and transport are affordable, alcohol and luxury services carry a significant premium due to national taxes. Overall, the island provides a diverse financial landscape that accommodates both frugal explorers and high-end vacationers.
Is Penang expensive to visit?
Penang is exceptionally affordable for travelers, with typical daily costs ranging from $27 / RM104 to $354 / RM1,383 depending on your choice of accommodation and dining style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Penang
$27
per person /day
$114
per person /day
$354
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $80 | $341 | $1,060 |
| 5-Day Trip | $133 | $568 | $1,768 |
| 7-Day Trip | $186 | $796 | $2,475 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% buffer to cover mandatory hidden costs such as the $2.53 / RM9.89 Malaysia Tourism Tax per night and the Penang Local Government Fee of up to $0.75 / RM2.95. This extra cushion is also useful for the 16% total in taxes and service charges frequently applied at mid-range restaurants and the Eastern & Oriental Hotel.
How Does It Compare?
See how Penang stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Penang
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hawker Center Meal (e.g. Char Kway Teow) A basic plate of street food costs ~$2.02–$3.04 / RM7.92–RM12. | $3.04 RM12 |
| Famous Teochew Chendul Iconic street dessert on Lebuh Keng Kwee (~$1.14 / RM4.46). | $1.14 RM4.46 |
| Large Beer (Tiger/Heineken) at Hawker Alcohol is heavily taxed in Malaysia. Expect to pay ~$5.56 / RM22. | $5.56 RM22 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Coupon Taxi (to George Town) Official fixed-price coupon system. Surcharge of 50% applies between 00:00–06:00 (~$11 / RM44 total). | $11 RM44 |
| Rapid Penang Bus Fare (Zone 1) Bus drivers do not give change; exact amount ~$0.35 / RM1.38 required. | $0.35 RM1.38 |
| Grab (e-hailing) Airport to City Dynamic pricing applies during rain or peak hours (~$5.56–$8.84 / RM22–RM35). | $7.07 RM28 |
| Trishaw Tour (Heritage Zone) Always agree on the price before boarding (~$13 / RM49/hour). | $13 RM49 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Hostel Dorm Bed (George Town) Prices for popular heritage hostels average ~$11 / RM44 per night. | $11 RM44 |
| 3-Star Hotel Nightly Rate Equivalent to ~$71 / RM277 based on provided data. | $71 RM277 |
| Luxury Resort Room (Batu Ferringhi) Plus 10% service and taxes. Approximately ~$215 / RM840 per night. | $215 RM840 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Penang Hill Funicular (International Express) Avoid long queues (2–3 hours) with this Express ticket (~$20 / RM79). | $20 RM79 |
| Entopia Butterfly Farm (International Adult) Full access to indoor and outdoor discovery centers (~$19 / RM74). | $19 RM74 |
| Khoo Kongsi Clan Temple Entry Includes access to the museum and the ornate clan house (~$2.53 / RM9.89). | $2.53 RM9.89 |
| Blue Mansion Guided Tour (Cheong Fatt Tze) Tours are conducted at 11:00 and 14:00 daily (~$6.32 / RM25). | $6.32 RM25 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| CelcomDigi Prepaid 5G (30-day) Best value for high-speed data across the island (~$7.58 / RM30). | $7.58 RM30 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The island's food scene is anchored by hawker centers where a filling plate of Char Kway Teow costs just $3.04 / RM12 and local desserts like Teochew Chendul are available for $1.14 / RM4.46. While street food is a bargain, alcohol is heavily taxed, with a large beer at a hawker center costing roughly $5.56 / RM22. Travelers should note that mid-range and upscale restaurants will add a 10% service charge and 6% tax to the final bill.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Siam Road Charcoal Char Kway Teow
$2.02–$3.79 / RM7.92–RM15George Town · Street food area
Arrive 30 minutes before opening at 12:00 to avoid a 1-hour wait (~$2.02 / RM7.92).
Tek Sen Restaurant
$6.32–$13 / RM25–RM49Lebuh Carnarvon · Local chain
Try the Double-Roasted Pork with Chili Padi (~$10 / RM39 per person).
Line Clear Nasi Kandar
$3.04–$6.32 / RM12–RM25Chulia Street · Street food area
Located in a narrow alleyway; it is open 24 hours for a late-night feast (~$3.79 / RM15).
888 Hokkien Mee
$1.77–$3.04 / RM6.9–RM12Lebuh Presgrave · Street market
Add 'Siew Yoke' (crispy pork) for an extra ~$0.77 / RM2.99.
Hameed Pata Mee Sotong
$1.77–$2.53 / RM6.9–RM9.89Esplanade Park Food Court · Food court
Order a Coconut Shake from the neighboring stall to balance the spice (~$1.77 / RM6.9 total).
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is efficient and cheap using the Rapid Penang bus system, which charges just $0.35 / RM1.38 for Zone 1 travel, provided passengers have the exact change. E-hailing via Grab is the most reliable modern option, with an airport-to-city trip averaging $7.07 / RM28, though trishaw tours through the heritage zone remain popular at approximately $13 / RM49 per hour.
Accommodation Overview
George Town offers excellent value for heritage stays, with hostel dorm beds averaging $11 / RM44 and standard 3-star hotels priced around $71 / RM277. For those seeking the coast, luxury resorts in Batu Ferringhi average $215 / RM840 per night, though these rates often exclude mandatory local government fees.
Accommodation Budget in Penang
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Ride the CAT (Central Area Transit) free shuttle bus to see major George Town landmarks without spending a cent on transport.
- 2 Eat at the Esplanade Park Food Court to find famous local dishes like Hameed Pata Mee Sotong at street-level prices.
- 3 Purchase a CelcomDigi Prepaid 5G SIM for $7.58 / RM30 upon arrival to use Grab for cheaper transport instead of expensive street taxis.
- 4 Avoid the $20 / RM79 Penang Hill Express ticket by visiting during weekday mornings when the standard queue is manageable and significantly cheaper.
- 5 Stick to hawker stalls for beer, as prices are much lower than the bars on Chulia Street or Love Lane, even if the environment is simpler.
- 6 Fill water bottles at the filtered water stations found in most heritage hostels and guesthouses to avoid paying for plastic bottles.
- 7 Visit the Khoo Kongsi Clan Temple for just $2.53 / RM9.89 to see some of the most intricate architecture on the island at a low entry cost.
- 8 Join the scheduled guided tours at the Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze) for $6.32 / RM25 rather than paying for multiple separate museum entries.
- 9 Walk the street art trail in George Town for a full day of free sightseeing that covers most of the UNESCO heritage zone.
- 10 Shop at the Chowrasta Market for fresh fruit and snacks to avoid the higher prices at convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb
+20-30%
Sep, Oct, Nov
-15-25%
Mar, Apr, May
Peak season coincides with dry weather and major holidays. The monsoon season (Sep–Nov) sees heavy afternoon rain but significant hotel discounts of ~$18–$35 / RM69–RM138 per night.
Events to Watch
- ● Chinese New Year (late Jan/Feb): +50% hotel spikes
- ● George Town Festival (July): increased occupancy
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 George Town Street Art: Follow the trail of famous murals and wrought-iron caricatures throughout the historic center.
- 2 Clan Jetties: Walk through the historic overwater wooden villages, including the famous Chew Jetty.
- 3 Kek Lok Si Temple: Explore the sprawling grounds and main prayer halls of this massive Buddhist complex (pagoda and incline lift have fees).
- 4 Penang Botanical Gardens: Walk the lush trails and see the local monkey populations in this century-old green space.
- 5 Wat Chayamangkalaram: Visit the Thai temple to see the 33-meter gold-plated Reclining Buddha.
- 6 Dhammikarama Burmese Temple: View the ornate architecture and towering Buddha statues directly across from the Thai temple.
- 7 Kapitan Keling Mosque: Admire the Indo-Moorish architecture of this historic mosque during non-prayer times.
- 8 Penang Youth Park: Enjoy the free public swimming pools, outdoor gym, and hiking trails at the base of the hills.
- 9 Armenian Street: Wander one of the most picturesque streets in the UNESCO zone to see heritage shophouses.
- 10 Gurney Drive Promenade: Walk the seaside path during sunset for sea breezes and views of the coastline.
- 11 St. George’s Church: View the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia and its memorial canopy.
- 12 Sri Mahamariamman Temple: Observe the colorful and intricate sculptures on the oldest Hindu temple in George Town.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Heritage Afternoon Tea at Eastern & Oriental Hotel
The ultimate colonial luxury experience in a historic 1885 hotel setting (~$25 / RM99).
The Habitat Sunset Walk (Penang Hill)
Includes the 360-degree Curtis Crest canopy walk at the highest point of the island (~$15 / RM59).
Indigo at Blue Mansion Fine Dining
Exquisite fusion dining inside the UNESCO-award winning Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (~$71 / RM277).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Penang
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Penang and what they cost
Ipoh (Old Town & Caves)
$20 / RM79 by train
$5.05 / RM20
$45 / RM178
Pulau Aman (Fisherman's Island)
$7.58 / RM30 by bus + boat
Free
$21 / RM84
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
1 $ ≈ 3.91 RM
Yes
Widely accepted in malls, hotels, and cafes; hawker stalls and local markets are strictly cash-only.
Not mandatory. Rounding up or leaving ~$1.18–$2.35 / RM4.6–RM9.2 is appreciated at restaurants. Hawkers do not expect tips.
Maybank (yellow) and CIMB (red) have the most widespread ATMs with reliable international card support. Avoid private 'White Label' ATMs in malls which may charge ~$2.94 / RM12 per withdrawal.
Only expected at night markets (Pasar Malam) and with trishaw drivers. Never bargain for food at hawker stalls or in air-conditioned shops.
Connectivity
eSIM: $7.06–$18 for 10-20GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $7.58 / RM30 ($7.58 / RM30) for 30 days of data
WiFi: Excellent in George Town cafes and mid-to-high-end hotels; limited in public parks.
Buy a CelcomDigi or Maxis Hotlink tourist SIM at the airport arrival hall for the best 5G coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Penang.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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